Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander said during an interview with CNN that he would have no problem accepting an openly gay teammate.

Verlander added that although no player ever has come out as gay in any of the four major North American sports leagues, there are gay players in each.

Justin Verlander says he would have no problem accepting an openly gay teammate. (AP Photo)

"I'm sure there are," Verlander told CNN, according to The Detroit News. "I think as with any sport, a gay player would be hesitant to come out, but the sheer number says there absolutely is."

He also expressed confidence that a gay teammate would be welcomed into the Tigers’ clubhouse.

"Yeah, I don't see why not, given the right situation, and a team that's a family atmosphere, and I feel like we have that atmosphere here. I don't think one of our players would be scared to come out,” Verlander told CNN. “We got 25 guys, it's a family, and our goal is to win a World Series. What your sexual orientation is, I don't see how that affects the ultimate goal of our family.”